Dr. David Sinclair

So we don't know for sure, speaking like a scientist.

But there have been studies where people are told to do exercise and those that are told to sit.

And then you can compare telomere length, and that has been shown.

So that's a much better evidence of causation.

But you're right, when you see an association, it could be that people who do exercise also eat well and drink matcha.

Sleep better.

Exactly.

So you have to be careful interpreting these association studies always.

But when you've got a placebo-controlled trial or these studies that are called prospective, not retrospective studies, then they're better.

So telomeres are the ends of chromosomes that get shortened as you get older.

We used to use them really as a good indicator of

age biological age now we use the epigenome and the dna methylation chemicals is a better clock and then cold plunges and saunas yeah let's get to those i've got a sauna in the house but i never use it to be honest you should but if you if you tell me i should we should actually jump in there after this your girlfriend's still here david so let's

She can come too.

So saunas are, in my mind, it's not even a question.

They are proven to be beneficial for multiple reasons, heart disease and even long-term mortality.

Anyone who says they know is lying.

We don't know.

But one theory that I like, and it also goes back to yeast cells, there are what are called heat shock proteins that come on and defend the cell when the cell senses heat.

And it may be that these heat shock defense proteins called HSPs come on when we breathe in this moist hot air.

The moisture actually seems to help as well.